Islam and Christianity

ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY
This book is written in the nature of a “key” for those Muslim brothers of ours who have just a smattering of knowledge on how the Islamic religion has developed, and it has been written for those non-Muslims willing to know the fundamentals of Islam. Islam, the most up-to-date and the most immaculate of the world’s existing religions, is based upon very humane and very logical principles. Without going into details, this book touches upon the fundamentals of Islam and makes a comparison of Islam with other religions. It answers criticisms raised against Islam by its adversaries and explains as compendiously as possible the qualifications essential for being a good Muslim.
For those who would like to read valuable books on Islam written by Islamic scholars (rahimahumullâhu ta’âlâ) after learning the facts contained in this book, we advise that they read books published in different languages by the Hakîkat Kitabevi (Bookstore) in Istanbul. The names of these books are appended to our books. Read this book slowly and with reflection! Encourage others to read it, too! An ignorant person cannot be a good Muslim. Indeed, it is impossible for a person not to attach all his heart to Islam after learning its fundamentals. After reading this book, you will also realize what a lofty, sacred, logical, and perfect religion Islam is, and you will attach all your heart and soul to it in order to attain salvation and repose in this world and in the hereafter.
Islam that abrogated celestial religions of Judaism and Christianity along with their validity is explained first. That Qur’an-ı Karîm is word of Allah; miracles of Muhammad ׳alayhissalâm, his virtues, moral practices and habits; how to be a true Muslim; a comparison of Islam and Christianity; that Muslims are scientifically powerful; are explained next.

nor in the New Testament

nor in the New Testament be considered shameful or unchaste? Ancient Prophets (’alaihimu ’s-salâm) always had several wives. Therefore, polygamy is not fornication. It is compatible with laws and with common sense.” The famous thinker and writer Montesqieu (1659-1735) said, “If we take into consideration the fact that in hot countries women grow faster and age faster, it is quite natural for those who live in such countries to marry several women.” Anyway, as stated above, because of economical conditions, today’s Muslim countries have almost no polygamy. 2- Some people say: Islam orders Muslims to invade, kill, burn, destroy countries, and to put people to the sword for the sake of their religion, calling this “jihâd” (holy war). This assertion is completely wrong. The essence of jihâd as defined by Islam is not to ruin countries or to kill people, but to propagate the religion, and at the same time to protect the religion, which is never done by destroying, burning or cruelty. Islam only commands defence and struggle against transgressors. On the other hand, Christians, as we have mentioned above at length, have not shied away from committing the most horrifying murders in the name of religion, and, despite Hadrat ’Îsâ’s (Jesus’) teachings and advice on mercy and fairness, they have perpetrated all kinds of evil and savagery. History teems with examples of their atrocities. In contrast, according to Islam, a Muslim should never apply any sort of aggression upon anyone. If a Muslim, or his religion, is attacked he first tries to dissuade the aggressor politely. In case his efforts are unsuccessful, he sues him. And the court inflicts the necessary punishment with justice. If he cannot get his right even through the court, he will retire either into his house, or into his place of business. He will keep away from his transgressors. If his house, or place of business is attacked, he will move away; that is, he will leave that city. If he cannot find any city to move in, he will leave that country. If he cannot find any Muslim country to move to, he will move to any non-Muslim country where human rights are respected. A Muslim does not attack anyone with his hands or tongue, nor does he violate anyone’s property, possession, chastity, or honour. Jihâd means to communicate Allâhu ta’âlâ’s true religion to His created slaves. This can be done by using the sword to eliminate cruel and exploiting dictators, who hamper Allahu ta’âlâ’s religion from reaching His slaves. First, it begins with admonishing and moral preaching, and then in the case of – 38 –

disobedience or opposition, these obstructions are eliminated by other means. Jihâd with force is done not by individuals, but by the Islamic state. In the 256 th verse of Sûrat al-Baqara in the Qur’ân al-kerîm it states: “There is no compulsion in religion...” In contrast with the usual methods of Christians, Muslims do not attempt to convert a person to Islam by having recourse to any means, i.e., by force or by promising material advantages. He who wants to be a Muslim becomes a Muslim willingly. Muslims cause non-Muslims to embrace Islam with their sweet, logical and reasonable words, and with their moral conduct and model behavior. Those who prefer not to become Muslims live freely under the protection of the Islamic state as non-Muslim countrymen. They have the same rights and freedoms as Muslims; they freely perform their own religious rituals. These are explained in the book Diyâ-ul-qulûb from page 293 onward. It is narrated in the seventieth story of the book Manâqib-i Chehâr yâr-i Guzîn: “A caravan of merchants made a night’s halt immediately outside Medina. Since they were exhausted, they soon fell asleep. Umar (radiy-Allâhu ta’âlâ ’anh), the Caliph, who was walking one of his usual beats around the city, saw them. He went to Abd-ur-Rahmân Ibn Awf’s (radiy-Allâhu ta’âlâ ’anh) house and said to him: ‘A caravan is here tonight. They are all disbelievers. But they have consigned themselves to our protection. They have many valuable goods. I fear that strangers or travellers may rob them. Come along, let’s guard them.’ They guarded them until the next morning, and then went to the mosque for the morning prayer. A youngster among the merchants had not slept. He followed them. Inquiring about them, he found out that the person who had guarded them was Umar, the Caliph (radiy-Allâhu ’anh). He went back and told his companions all about this. Seeing the mercy and compassion of the exalted Caliph, who had routed the Roman and Iranian armies, who had conquered numerous cities, and who was so well known for his justice, they concluded that Islam was the true religion, and willingly became Muslims altogether.” As it is written in the same book, Manâqib: “During Hadrat Umar’s (radiy-Allâhu ’anh) caliphate, Sa’d ibn Abû Waqqâs (radiy Allâhu ’anh), the commander of the eastern front, wanted to have a villa built in Kûfa city. He had to buy a magian’s house which was next to his parcel. The magian did not want to sell his house. The magian went home and conferred with his wife who – 39 –